THREE rogue landlords have been banned from operating in the private rented sector following a successful prosecution by Tower Hamlets Council.
The First-tier Tribunal has imposed three-year banning orders on the property management company R&G Agent Ltd, and its directors, Rafael Mendes Torres and Evandro dos Santos Gomes, after serious housing offences involving an unlicensed and poorly managed property in Poplar.
The case centred on a flat in Kemps Drive, E14, which was illegally operated as a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) without the required licence between January 2022 and December 2023.
Investigations by the council revealed that the property had been converted from a two-bedroom flat into as many as five bedrooms, leading to overcrowding and inadequate living conditions.
Up to six tenants were living in the property, with reports of unsafe and unacceptable conditions, including:
- Pest infestations involving mice, cockroaches, and bed bugs
- Faulty electrics and poor maintenance
- Lack of basic fire safety measures such as fire doors and extinguishers
- Unprotected tenancy deposits and no written tenancy agreements
One tenant reported that complaints about conditions were not met with repairs, but with a rent increase.
The company had previously been convicted of the same offence at another property, demonstrating a pattern of non-compliance.
The Tribunal found that the landlords showed a “dangerous” lack of knowledge of their legal responsibilities and had failed to take meaningful steps to improve standards.
It also concluded that the property had been poorly managed and that the landlords had attempted to mislead tenants and the Council.
Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, said:
“This outcome sends a clear message that we will not tolerate rogue landlords in Tower Hamlets, who put tenants at risk.
“Every resident deserves a safe, secure and well-managed home, and we will continue to take robust enforcement action against those who fail to meet their legal responsibilities.”
The three-year banning orders, effective from 21 August 2026, prevent the individuals and company from letting housing, managing rental properties and acting as letting agents in England.
Banning orders are among the strongest powers available to local authorities and are reserved for the most serious housing offences. Breaching a banning order is a criminal offence.
If you live in Tower Hamlets and have concerns about your landlord or living conditions, contact the Tower Hamlets Private Housing Advice Team by emailing housing.advice@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Posted on Wednesday 10th June 2026